Ryan and Brian Do Crosswords

Before I go in to the details of today’s puzzle, I want to talk for a minute about Sunday’s puzzle and The Simpsons tie-in.  That was awesome!  I watched it with Pickles and kept pausing to say things like, “That’s the music from Wordplay”, “There’s a site called cruciverbalist.com”, “That’s today’s puzzle!”.  So much fun.  It was like a big inside joke for crossword people.  I knew that the Sunday puzzle was going to appear in the episode but I had no idea that there would be hidden messages.  That was great.  Here they are:

Reading diagonally through the grid: DUMB DAD SORRY FOR HIS BET

And taking the first letter of each clue: DEAR LISA YOU MAKE ME SO HAPPY REALLY REALLY REALLY HAPPY SORRY HE TOLD ME I NEEDED A HUNDRED FORTY FOUR LETTERS WHAT WAS MY POINT AGAIN OH RIGHT BOUVIER OR SIMPSON I CHERISH YOU

So cool.  If there are other inside jokes I missed, please let me know.  JimH has a couple of interviews with Merl and Will on the Wordplay blog that will give you a little more insight.

On to today’s Paula Gamache puzzle.  Good, fun Monday puzzle.  The theme involved people who are in dire straits.  (Is that the way you spell “straits” for that meaning?)

20A. Demand legal restitution after injury (SUE FOR DAMAGES).

33A. Seek compassionate treatment (BEG FOR MERCY).

41A. What drought victims might do (PRAY FOR RAIN).

56A. Take unnecessary risks (ASK FOR TROUBLE).

Term that I need to use more in my everyday life:

36A. Big talker (GAS BAG).  What a great term.  I know many GAS BAGS.  There was one lady I worked with at my old job.  I called her the Fairy Tale Wino because, well, she dressed like a wino who lives in a fairy tale.  Lots of crazy, layered clothing and all very, brightly colored.  Anyway, she would never shut up.  She was one of those people who whenever somebody famous died she had to be the first one to let everybody know.  She’d read it on the internet and then announce it to the room.  Like she was the town crier or something.  When the Detroit Tigers were in the playoffs she would go on and on about how big a Tigers fan she was.  The when Cal Ripken was inducted into the Hall of Fame she went on and on about how big an Orioles fan she was.  There were times when I just needed her to shut up.  And, now that I no longer see her, as crazy as it sounds, I miss her.  She did liven up the day.

Here’s something I didn’t know:

10D. Almost any part of the Michelin Man (TIRES).  I guess it never occurred to me that those rolls of fat were all tires.  Does anybody know the story behind this guy?  Did someone stack a bunch of tires one day and they just suddenly came to life?  Is it a regular guy (like a prince or something) that’s forced to live with a horrible curse?  Is he from outer space?  Is he related to Grimace?  What are his intentions on Earth?  Does he truly mean well or is he merely softening us up in anticipation of the arrival of his overlords?  What isn’t he telling us?

In a bit of personal news, my show, The Cherry Orchard opens up on Friday.  Only 4 performances, it’s up at Columbia U and the tickets are free.  You can reserve tickets by following this link.  All the details and showtimes are there too.  Please let me know if you decide to come so I can say hi and maybe we can hang out afterwards.

Next stop, Tuesday.